A/N: I love to write...I finish one project and start another...it's weird.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed my other stories! I'm glad you all liked my
last one so much! ( Please enjoy this one...and it hardly needs to be said,
but let me know what you think, all right? Oh, and this fanfic is going to
be RW/HG, NL/GW, and HP/LL. Just wanted you all to know.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Chapter One
"You can't threaten me with that...that thing!" Dudley pointed to Harry's pocket.
Harry smiled. "Who said I was threatening you? Just give it back, Dudders, before something unpleasant happens..."
"You're doing it again!" he yelped.
"Oh, is Diddykins afraid of little Harry Potter?" Harry smirked. "Hand it over, Dudley. Now. It's mine. I'm warning you!"
"Who are these people?" Dudley was holding it so thoughtlessly that Harry was afraid that the pictures would fall out of it.
Harry sighed. "It's my family, Dudley. Give it back." Harry was red in the face. His wand was at the ready. Did Dudley not understand that he was being very serious?
There four loud cracks. Four of the nine people in the Weasley family were suddenly standing in Harry's bedroom. Mrs. Weasley gasped when she looked at Harry, whose wand was still raised at his cousin.
"Harry, dear, lower your wand. You don't want to get into any trouble, do you? You know our bylaws. Come on, dear. Put it down..." she whispered.
"Tell him to give it back," Harry used his wand to point to the photo album in his cousin's hands.
Mr. Weasley gasped when he realized what Dudley was holding. There was an angry look on his face. "Now you listen here boy," he scolded, "you hand that back to him right now, you hear? He may be underage, but I am by far old enough to handle the situation," he smiled threateningly. ("Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley had growled). "That is his, boy...you best give it back to him before the people in the pictures jinx you themselves," He winked at Harry as he said this, and Dudley tossed the album onto the floor in fear.
When his cousin had finally retreated downstairs, Harry sighed and plopped down onto his bed. His bedside clock blinked at him. His aunt and uncle would be home any minute now, and they were sure to notice four strange people in their house that hadn't been there when they left.
"How'd Ron and Ginny manage to come with you, Mr. Weasley? You apparated, didn't you? We haven't tested for that. How did you..." He wondered out loud.
Mrs. Weasley shrugged. "We didn't apparate. We used a portkey. I have no clue why it made such a noise..." she marveled.
"Well, whatever it was, if we plan on leaving, we'd best leave now before..." But Harry stopped talking. He heard the front door open, and then...
"HARRY POTTER!" His uncle screamed as he wobbled up the stairs.
Harry grabbed his trunk and Hedwig's cage. She had been out for nearly three days now, but she was smart enough to find him. The Weasley's frowned. They could hear Harry's Uncle Vernon already struggling with the ten locks that were on Harry's door. Mrs. Weasley gestured to him to hurry up. He was ready. He ran to the Weasleys, and Mr. Weasley pulled out a small object...a key chain of some sort. As the five of them touched it, Uncle Vernon burst into the room...but by then, of course, they were far beyond his reach...
"That was far too close for comfort," Harry frowned. "Thanks for rescuing me, though. I wasn't expecting you guys so early. What's the occasion?" he asked, looking at all of them.
Mr. Weasley sighed. "Harry, we couldn't possibly leave you at that house all by yourself the entire summer after what happened a couple months ago. Nothing is safe anymore. We even picked up Hermione yesterday. She's the only witch for nearly fifty miles where she lives, and after the Death Eaters saw your faces...we couldn't risk leaving you alone. Dumbledore would have killed us."
"Dumbledore had you pick me and Hermione up? But there were others. What about Neville and Luna?" Harry demanded.
"They're here, too." Ron whispered. "They're upstairs right now."
"I still don't get it. I mean, why? Fifth year, nobody came to get me until after Dementors attacked my cousin. I doesn't make any sense why they would be so worried now. Nothing's happened since before school ended." Harry was thinking very hard, and his nose was crinkled.
"We were just doing as we were told, Harry. I don't really understand everything, either. I think Dumbledore thinks something may happen soon. He's just having the Order take precautions, is all." Mrs. Weasley shrugged.
Harry blinked. "Oh. Well...all right." He sighed. "At least I'm out of the Dursley's house. Come on, Ron, Ginny. Let's go upstairs and see everyone. They've been so quiet..." He pointed up the stairs.
Ginny and Ron followed Harry up the stairs, where he found Luna, Neville, and Hermione all sitting in Ron's room with a game of Exploding Snap. All three looked up when he entered the room with Ron and Ginny.
"Hello, Harry. How have you been?" Luna whispered. Harry frowned slightly. Luna had been there when...He shook his head. He couldn't think about that.
He smiled at her. "I've been all right...but things could be better, you know."
"I understand." She nodded. "Have a seat, you three. Are you just going to stand there and watch us play all day?"
"Huh? Oh, no..." Ron shook his head and sat down in-between Hermione and Neville. "Who's winning?"
"I am." Hermione smiled.
Luna frowned. "She shouldn't be allowed to play this game. She's been whooping the pants of off both of us for nearly an hour now. We were waiting for Ron and Ginny to get back with you..." Luna explained.
"Uh huh." Harry nodded. "And what reason did they give you guys when they picked you up?" he asked the three of them.
"Didn't give us a reason, Harry. But I've talked to my father since yesterday, you know. He says something is definitely going on. He heard about what happened a couple months ago, of course. Says the Minister is in a right state about it all. Trying to cover everything up and make you look like a dumb git taking its toll on him, I guess. Anyway, I guess Dumbledore thinks we've been Marked. After all, we did help put Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban, and we know Bellatrix Lestrange is still out there. I could see why they would have a reason to kill us..." Luna frowned as she thought about it.
Ron blinked. "We've been WHAT?! Why wouldn't mum and dad tell us something like that? What's wrong with them?"
"Probably so you wouldn't freak out like that," Ginny whispered. "Besides, it's almost better that we not know something like that just for that reason. Luna's dad probably just found out because of his paper."
"And you don't have problems with this?" Ron smirked at his sister.
Ginny laughed. "Of course I do. But that doesn't mean I'm going to freak out about it. I don't want to go around feeling scared all the time because I know what's going on. On the contrary, I have spent the last four years learning to defend myself against people like that. I'm not saying that I'm super witch, but I'm not going to just paint a target on my chest and let them kill me, either."
Neville blinked. "Wow. I've never heard you talk like that before, Ginny. You sound so...determined. Is that the word...hmm...yes, it works..." Neville was thinking out loud.
"I'm sure Dumbledore will be taking extra care at Hogwarts this year as well," Hermione sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if he reinstated the curfew and had a teacher posted at every corner..."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, well, that would make me feel at least a little better, you know?"
"We could have extra DA meetings next year. I'm sure Professor Lupin might help if we asked him. In fact, I think I'll go send him an owl." Harry walked over to his trunk and pulled out some parchment. "And I'll send one to Dumbledore as well. After all, if we know what's going on, he might as well know that we know. That way, at least he can't try to lie to us about it..."
Hermione sighed. "Well, Harry, he's never really lied to us. Told half-truths, maybe...but never really straight out lied..."
Down stairs, Arthur and Molly Weasley were seated at their kitchen table. Mr. Weasley looked as if he was very ill, and Mrs. Weasley looked as if she wanted to punch the nearest wall. Several minutes were like this until Mrs. Weasley finally decided to break the silence.
"Arthur, should we tell them? I mean, what if they don't know? They'd be unprepared if anything did happen. I would feel so guilty."
Arthur frowned. "Molly, they know. Trust me. We can't put anything past them...especially something like this. And Luna Lovegood's father is a reporter. Even Harry could tell something wasn't right, you know? The Order can't just follow them everywhere, Molly. That would be way too suspicious. But we don't have to worry about whether or not they know, because I could bet every galleon we have that they are probably upstairs talking about it as we speak."
Mr. Weasley was right in his theory. Harry was finishing up his letters to Dumbledore and Professor Lupin while Hermione was talking to the others about new topics for the next year's DA meetings.
Just as Harry was about to send his letters, an owl flew into Ron's window, and landed on the desk Harry was sitting at. The owl was a Hogwarts owl, and the letter was from Dumbledore, and addressed to everyone.
'Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna,
Please be very careful this summer. I ask that you not stray too far from the Burrow, and please mind what Mr. And Mrs. Weasley tell you. I can guess that you have probably already figured this out, but you are all in very real danger. After the incident this spring, sightings of Death Eaters have been at an all time high. Do not believe what the Daily Prophet tells you! I have spoken to the Minister of Magic, who is unfortunately trying to hide information regarding the incident this spring.
Fortunately enough, with that horrid character Delores Umbridge finally gone, I have gotten permission to rehire Remus Lupin as Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I wasn't sure if he'd told you or not, but I wanted you all to be the first to know. This year, he will be going over various new topics of study, which I will request that all of you PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO.
Several members of the Order of the Phoenix have agreed to assist at Hogwarts this year as well. Nymphadora Tonks has agreed to take over the Potions classes while Professor Snape is away on Order business (none of you must speak of this to anyone, excluding Ron and Ginny's parents!) Also, Kingsley Shakebolt and Alastor Moody have volunteered to play the part of Hogwarts security...
I understand that this may seem like a lot for you to remember, but it is very important. The danger is very real. I want to protect all of you to the best of my ability. Again, please be very careful this summer, and I will meet you in Diagon Alley the week before term begins.
-Albus Dumbledore Hogwarts Headmaster'
Harry showed the letter to everyone. Once they had all read it, they went down stairs to explain the situation to Ron and Ginny's parents, who were still seated at their kitchen table. Neither Mr. Nor Mrs. Weasley seemed to be surprised about how much they knew of what was going on. Both would only nod occasionally as they talked. They didn't say anything until Harry showed them the letter.
"So, we're to meet Dumbledore in Diagon Alley?" Mr. Weasley nodded.
"Putting Remus back at Hogwarts was probably the smartest thing Dumbledore could have done in this situation," Mrs. Weasley commented. "I only hope they don't decide to attack before we can get ourselves to Diagon Alley...." She frowned at this, and stared, as if she was trying to see something that was really far away.
Ginny wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "Don't worry, mum. We'll be all right. Dumbledore wouldn't let anything happen, and we've learned a lot, mum. We aren't completely defenseless...we'll be safe. I promise." Everyone nodded at Mrs. Weasley.
"I hope so, sweetie." She smiled as a single tear dropped down her cheek.
A/N: Do you guys like it? This chapter is longer than most of the chapters I've written for my other stories. I have tons of ideas! I will update very soon!
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Chapter One
"You can't threaten me with that...that thing!" Dudley pointed to Harry's pocket.
Harry smiled. "Who said I was threatening you? Just give it back, Dudders, before something unpleasant happens..."
"You're doing it again!" he yelped.
"Oh, is Diddykins afraid of little Harry Potter?" Harry smirked. "Hand it over, Dudley. Now. It's mine. I'm warning you!"
"Who are these people?" Dudley was holding it so thoughtlessly that Harry was afraid that the pictures would fall out of it.
Harry sighed. "It's my family, Dudley. Give it back." Harry was red in the face. His wand was at the ready. Did Dudley not understand that he was being very serious?
There four loud cracks. Four of the nine people in the Weasley family were suddenly standing in Harry's bedroom. Mrs. Weasley gasped when she looked at Harry, whose wand was still raised at his cousin.
"Harry, dear, lower your wand. You don't want to get into any trouble, do you? You know our bylaws. Come on, dear. Put it down..." she whispered.
"Tell him to give it back," Harry used his wand to point to the photo album in his cousin's hands.
Mr. Weasley gasped when he realized what Dudley was holding. There was an angry look on his face. "Now you listen here boy," he scolded, "you hand that back to him right now, you hear? He may be underage, but I am by far old enough to handle the situation," he smiled threateningly. ("Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley had growled). "That is his, boy...you best give it back to him before the people in the pictures jinx you themselves," He winked at Harry as he said this, and Dudley tossed the album onto the floor in fear.
When his cousin had finally retreated downstairs, Harry sighed and plopped down onto his bed. His bedside clock blinked at him. His aunt and uncle would be home any minute now, and they were sure to notice four strange people in their house that hadn't been there when they left.
"How'd Ron and Ginny manage to come with you, Mr. Weasley? You apparated, didn't you? We haven't tested for that. How did you..." He wondered out loud.
Mrs. Weasley shrugged. "We didn't apparate. We used a portkey. I have no clue why it made such a noise..." she marveled.
"Well, whatever it was, if we plan on leaving, we'd best leave now before..." But Harry stopped talking. He heard the front door open, and then...
"HARRY POTTER!" His uncle screamed as he wobbled up the stairs.
Harry grabbed his trunk and Hedwig's cage. She had been out for nearly three days now, but she was smart enough to find him. The Weasley's frowned. They could hear Harry's Uncle Vernon already struggling with the ten locks that were on Harry's door. Mrs. Weasley gestured to him to hurry up. He was ready. He ran to the Weasleys, and Mr. Weasley pulled out a small object...a key chain of some sort. As the five of them touched it, Uncle Vernon burst into the room...but by then, of course, they were far beyond his reach...
"That was far too close for comfort," Harry frowned. "Thanks for rescuing me, though. I wasn't expecting you guys so early. What's the occasion?" he asked, looking at all of them.
Mr. Weasley sighed. "Harry, we couldn't possibly leave you at that house all by yourself the entire summer after what happened a couple months ago. Nothing is safe anymore. We even picked up Hermione yesterday. She's the only witch for nearly fifty miles where she lives, and after the Death Eaters saw your faces...we couldn't risk leaving you alone. Dumbledore would have killed us."
"Dumbledore had you pick me and Hermione up? But there were others. What about Neville and Luna?" Harry demanded.
"They're here, too." Ron whispered. "They're upstairs right now."
"I still don't get it. I mean, why? Fifth year, nobody came to get me until after Dementors attacked my cousin. I doesn't make any sense why they would be so worried now. Nothing's happened since before school ended." Harry was thinking very hard, and his nose was crinkled.
"We were just doing as we were told, Harry. I don't really understand everything, either. I think Dumbledore thinks something may happen soon. He's just having the Order take precautions, is all." Mrs. Weasley shrugged.
Harry blinked. "Oh. Well...all right." He sighed. "At least I'm out of the Dursley's house. Come on, Ron, Ginny. Let's go upstairs and see everyone. They've been so quiet..." He pointed up the stairs.
Ginny and Ron followed Harry up the stairs, where he found Luna, Neville, and Hermione all sitting in Ron's room with a game of Exploding Snap. All three looked up when he entered the room with Ron and Ginny.
"Hello, Harry. How have you been?" Luna whispered. Harry frowned slightly. Luna had been there when...He shook his head. He couldn't think about that.
He smiled at her. "I've been all right...but things could be better, you know."
"I understand." She nodded. "Have a seat, you three. Are you just going to stand there and watch us play all day?"
"Huh? Oh, no..." Ron shook his head and sat down in-between Hermione and Neville. "Who's winning?"
"I am." Hermione smiled.
Luna frowned. "She shouldn't be allowed to play this game. She's been whooping the pants of off both of us for nearly an hour now. We were waiting for Ron and Ginny to get back with you..." Luna explained.
"Uh huh." Harry nodded. "And what reason did they give you guys when they picked you up?" he asked the three of them.
"Didn't give us a reason, Harry. But I've talked to my father since yesterday, you know. He says something is definitely going on. He heard about what happened a couple months ago, of course. Says the Minister is in a right state about it all. Trying to cover everything up and make you look like a dumb git taking its toll on him, I guess. Anyway, I guess Dumbledore thinks we've been Marked. After all, we did help put Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban, and we know Bellatrix Lestrange is still out there. I could see why they would have a reason to kill us..." Luna frowned as she thought about it.
Ron blinked. "We've been WHAT?! Why wouldn't mum and dad tell us something like that? What's wrong with them?"
"Probably so you wouldn't freak out like that," Ginny whispered. "Besides, it's almost better that we not know something like that just for that reason. Luna's dad probably just found out because of his paper."
"And you don't have problems with this?" Ron smirked at his sister.
Ginny laughed. "Of course I do. But that doesn't mean I'm going to freak out about it. I don't want to go around feeling scared all the time because I know what's going on. On the contrary, I have spent the last four years learning to defend myself against people like that. I'm not saying that I'm super witch, but I'm not going to just paint a target on my chest and let them kill me, either."
Neville blinked. "Wow. I've never heard you talk like that before, Ginny. You sound so...determined. Is that the word...hmm...yes, it works..." Neville was thinking out loud.
"I'm sure Dumbledore will be taking extra care at Hogwarts this year as well," Hermione sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if he reinstated the curfew and had a teacher posted at every corner..."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, well, that would make me feel at least a little better, you know?"
"We could have extra DA meetings next year. I'm sure Professor Lupin might help if we asked him. In fact, I think I'll go send him an owl." Harry walked over to his trunk and pulled out some parchment. "And I'll send one to Dumbledore as well. After all, if we know what's going on, he might as well know that we know. That way, at least he can't try to lie to us about it..."
Hermione sighed. "Well, Harry, he's never really lied to us. Told half-truths, maybe...but never really straight out lied..."
Down stairs, Arthur and Molly Weasley were seated at their kitchen table. Mr. Weasley looked as if he was very ill, and Mrs. Weasley looked as if she wanted to punch the nearest wall. Several minutes were like this until Mrs. Weasley finally decided to break the silence.
"Arthur, should we tell them? I mean, what if they don't know? They'd be unprepared if anything did happen. I would feel so guilty."
Arthur frowned. "Molly, they know. Trust me. We can't put anything past them...especially something like this. And Luna Lovegood's father is a reporter. Even Harry could tell something wasn't right, you know? The Order can't just follow them everywhere, Molly. That would be way too suspicious. But we don't have to worry about whether or not they know, because I could bet every galleon we have that they are probably upstairs talking about it as we speak."
Mr. Weasley was right in his theory. Harry was finishing up his letters to Dumbledore and Professor Lupin while Hermione was talking to the others about new topics for the next year's DA meetings.
Just as Harry was about to send his letters, an owl flew into Ron's window, and landed on the desk Harry was sitting at. The owl was a Hogwarts owl, and the letter was from Dumbledore, and addressed to everyone.
'Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna,
Please be very careful this summer. I ask that you not stray too far from the Burrow, and please mind what Mr. And Mrs. Weasley tell you. I can guess that you have probably already figured this out, but you are all in very real danger. After the incident this spring, sightings of Death Eaters have been at an all time high. Do not believe what the Daily Prophet tells you! I have spoken to the Minister of Magic, who is unfortunately trying to hide information regarding the incident this spring.
Fortunately enough, with that horrid character Delores Umbridge finally gone, I have gotten permission to rehire Remus Lupin as Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I wasn't sure if he'd told you or not, but I wanted you all to be the first to know. This year, he will be going over various new topics of study, which I will request that all of you PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO.
Several members of the Order of the Phoenix have agreed to assist at Hogwarts this year as well. Nymphadora Tonks has agreed to take over the Potions classes while Professor Snape is away on Order business (none of you must speak of this to anyone, excluding Ron and Ginny's parents!) Also, Kingsley Shakebolt and Alastor Moody have volunteered to play the part of Hogwarts security...
I understand that this may seem like a lot for you to remember, but it is very important. The danger is very real. I want to protect all of you to the best of my ability. Again, please be very careful this summer, and I will meet you in Diagon Alley the week before term begins.
-Albus Dumbledore Hogwarts Headmaster'
Harry showed the letter to everyone. Once they had all read it, they went down stairs to explain the situation to Ron and Ginny's parents, who were still seated at their kitchen table. Neither Mr. Nor Mrs. Weasley seemed to be surprised about how much they knew of what was going on. Both would only nod occasionally as they talked. They didn't say anything until Harry showed them the letter.
"So, we're to meet Dumbledore in Diagon Alley?" Mr. Weasley nodded.
"Putting Remus back at Hogwarts was probably the smartest thing Dumbledore could have done in this situation," Mrs. Weasley commented. "I only hope they don't decide to attack before we can get ourselves to Diagon Alley...." She frowned at this, and stared, as if she was trying to see something that was really far away.
Ginny wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "Don't worry, mum. We'll be all right. Dumbledore wouldn't let anything happen, and we've learned a lot, mum. We aren't completely defenseless...we'll be safe. I promise." Everyone nodded at Mrs. Weasley.
"I hope so, sweetie." She smiled as a single tear dropped down her cheek.
A/N: Do you guys like it? This chapter is longer than most of the chapters I've written for my other stories. I have tons of ideas! I will update very soon!